Chapter 10
Kate dropped the kids off at school Monday. That they didn’t have to ride the bus in the morning was a special treat. Afterward, she headed to the diner for her coffee date with Edna. Edna, who her father had had a thing with. Wow, that was something she still hadn’t wrapped her head around.
She parked and made her way into the diner. A different woman was pouring coffee that morning. “Welcome. Have a seat.”
“I’m actually here to talk with Edna.” But the woman was nowhere in sight.
“She’ll be here in about ten minutes. Can I get you a cup of coffee until then?”
“That would be perfect.” Kate sat down at the bar and looked around. “You’re not very busy today.”
“Oh, honey, you hit me at a break in the morning. I’ve had ranchers, the stockyard and meat processing crews, the town vet, the county sheriff, both mechanics, and the priest here this morning. I’m Corrie, by the way.” The woman put a mug in front of her and poured out some coffee.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Kate Johnson.”
“Ah, would you be relation to Zeke or Lawrence?”
“Lawrence is my brother,” Kate admitted and blew on her steaming coffee. “So, who comes in after the break?”
“Moms with kids off to school. The people over at the hardware store. Doc Johnson and his wife. Dr. Wheeler, on occasion. Edna and her crowd. The mail person who’ll bring in our mail from down south and take out letters back to be processed and the odd person who just wants a caramel roll.” The woman laughed. “Are you moving back to the area?”
“Yeah, it’s looking more and more like it. What about you? When did you arrive in Hollister?” Kate took a sip of her coffee. “Oh, that is so good.” She’d only had time for one cup that morning before making the drive into town.
“Thank you. I moved here because Andrew Hollister, the younger one, was my husband’s commanding officer. My husband passed away, and Andrew gave me a place to come and work. This is his wife’s diner. My son Barry followed me up here, and he’s working at the Hollister ranch as a hand.”
Kate blinked and then held up a finger. The woman in front of her couldn’t be much older than she was, could she? “How old are you? No, wait, that’s not a polite question. How about how can you have a son old enough to be a ranch hand?” Kate was beyond curious.
Corrie laughed and leaned back against a counter behind her. “He isn’t my biological son, but my husband and I pseudo-adopted him after he was injured in combat. He’s got some problems from that time, but Andrew said he’s doing better. Anger issues mainly.”
“I’ve seen a lot of that. I’m Army, soon to be ex-Army. I’m on terminal leave.”
“Well, thank you for your service. The coffee is on me today.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Kate said, taken aback.
Corrie laughed. “Sweetie, the coffee and the conversation in this place is always free. I was making a joke.”
Kate laughed with the woman. “So, do you get to see your son very much?”
“More than I did when he was traveling the world after my husband passed. Like today. The crew is coming in because they’re getting a shipment of cattle. They’ll sort and inspect them at the stockyards. Which means they’ll all be here for lunch. And right on time, here comes Edna. Doris and Belinda will be here later. They stop by the church and do a cleanup after Sunday services. Putting the Bibles straight and taking out any trash.” Corrie looked over at her. “Are you sure you want to visit with Edna one-on-one?”
Kate laughed and nodded. “She knew my father and was always kind to him. I told her Saturday I’d be here sometime this week. I needed to come into town anyway, so I figured I’d bite the bullet.”
“Brave woman.” Corrie laughed. “But seriously, she has a heart of gold. It’s just hard to find it under all the other stuff.”
“The UFOs?” Kate asked.
“And Bigfoot,” Corrie said quietly as the door opened.
“Morning, Corrie. Kate? Well, I wasn’t expecting you so soon.” Edna pointed over to the corner booth. “Let’s have a seat. Corrie, could you bring a cinnamon roll for me? Kate, my treat, what would you like?”
“I’d like to try the caramel roll you were talking about, Corrie, but I’m paying.” She held up her hand when Edna started to complain. “Nope, I won’t visit with you if you don’t allow me to pay for our breakfast.”
Edna’s mouth snapped shut, and her brow furrowed. “Well, now, that’s nice and mean at the same time.”
“Concentrate on the nice,” Kate said and winked at Corrie as she moved to the corner booth. They settled in, and Corrie brought Edna a cup of coffee.
“So, tell me, how’s Lawrence? I’ve called out there a time or two, and I’ve taken over some food, but he’s not much of a talker.” Edna smiled at Corrie when the rolls were placed in front of them. A large dish of butter was placed down beside a thermal urn for coffee.
“So your visit isn’t interrupted,” Corrie said.
“Thank you.” Kate smiled at the waitress and cut into a caramel roll the size of her head while Edna poured cream and sugar into her coffee. Kate took a bite and moaned at the taste. “This is fabulous.” It was hot, gooey, and sweet, with a big kick of cinnamon and some kind of nuts on the inside.
“They are. I allow myself two a week. If I had any more, you could roll me down the street.” Edna took a sip of her coffee.
“I don’t believe that.” Edna had some years on her and a bit of weight around the middle, but she wasn’t in jeopardy of someone rolling her down the street. Kate saw no one else in the diner, so she casually leaned toward the woman and asked, “So, tell me, Edna, how long did you and my father sleep together?”
Edna gasped, her eyes wide, and then seemed to choke on the bite of roll in her mouth. Kate waited for her to speak, but the woman started turning blue. She was out of the booth in a second, moved behind Edna, placed her hands at Edna’s diaphragm, and pushed back once, twice … and the bread popped from her mouth to the table.
Edna gasped and sucked in air. Kate put her hand on Edna’s shoulder. “I didn’t mean to kill you with the question. Are you okay?”
Edna nodded and grabbed a paper napkin. She wiped her mouth before snatching the half-eaten piece of cinnamon roll from the table and wrapping it in the napkin. “Your question surprised me.” Edna cleared her throat and took a sip of coffee.
“Why? Because I knew or because I asked?” Kate took a sip of her coffee, too.
“Both, I reckon.” Edna pushed her cinnamon roll to the side. “You have to understand, we were both very lonely. And I swear, when your mom was here and for years afterward, we were just friends. Real friends, not friends with benefits.”
“Edna, I’m not judging you. I want to know how it came to pass. Were you happy? Did you want more?” Kate wanted as much information as she could get from the woman. Her father had a mistress, and while she knew her parents had been separated, the idea of either of them having affairs was mind-boggling.
“Well, one evening after a social at church, your father helped me with a flat on my truck. My spare was a poor thing and wasn’t going to last long. So, your father suggested I drive it to Phil’s and leave it with a note asking him to order me a new tire and that he’d take me home. Mind you, I was still at the ranch at that time. I hadn’t moved closer to town.” Edna took another sip, and she stared out the window as she spoke. “I invited him in for a cup of coffee because it was the neighborly thing to do. We talked and laughed, visiting about this and that. He stayed until well past midnight. When he got up to leave, he walked right up to me and said, ‘Edna, you might slap me for this, but’ … and then he kissed me.”
Edna looked over to her. “I’d been widowed for what seemed like a lifetime. It was unexpected, and, well, it was exciting, too.” She glanced at the door to the kitchen. “One thing led to another.” Edna sighed. “He’d come over about once a month or so. There was no dating, no wanting of more. Sometimes, people just need the intimacy they don’t have. I cared for your dad because he was a good man, but I didn’t love him. My only love was my husband, Paul.”
“So, you were each other’s reprieve from that loneliness?” Kate took another sip of her coffee. She could understand the why of the affair, which was her biggest question.
“Yes, that’s a perfect way of putting it.” Edna sighed. “Who else knows?”
“Don’t worry, your secret is completely safe. My dad told my brother after he overheard a phone call. Lawrence told me.” And she’d told Tegan, but that didn’t need to be exposed. “I needed to understand why. I know he and my mom never divorced, but they didn’t live together as man and wife, either.”
“Which is what your father assured me.” When the door opened, she took a drink of her coffee. “Are we through with that topic?” she asked the question quietly.
“We are, forever,” Kate assured her. Kate didn’t recognize the woman who came in, but Edna waved and said good morning. Kate settled in for their conversation. “Now, tell me about the UFOs and Bigfoot.”
Edna’s eyebrows rose to her hairline. “Well, I can’t prove I’ve seen a UFO, but I had a picture of that Bigfoot, and there are at least ten people who can tell you that photo was one hundred percent real.” She huffed out a disgruntled breath. “The photo and negative have been misplaced or lost, but that hasn’t stopped me from doing research on the sightings of him. From what I’ve determined, I’m the first one in this portion of the country actually to have a picture of it. Belinda, Doris, and I are tracking the sightings. Now, there’s been a scientific report that sightings of Bigfoot correspond with an uptick in sightings of black bears. We did our research, and there are a few sightings of bears here in the western part of the state. Nothing like the population in the Rockies or the northeastern states.” Edna leaned back. “I know where I took that picture, so I’m going to put a wildlife camera out there. It’s just past the stockyards, that big flat of land that isn’t fenced off. Now, don’t you go telling on me, you hear? I’m pretty sure that’s Hollister land, but I’m not asking permission, and if I get another photo of the bugger, I’m not letting anyone take a look at it either. Not until I get it verified, you know.”
“Why did you give the photo to another person?” Kate finished a bite of her roll and poured them both a cup of coffee.
“Let’s just say I think that person is trying to protect what was on the photo. He won’t admit he’s seen such a critter, but he didn’t deny it either. I think for sure what was in that photo of mine was a real, walking, breathing entity, and I think it was a Bigfoot.” She doctored up her coffee as she continued. “I’m not crazy or insane. I know what I saw in that photograph, and so do at least ten other people. That picture was passed around right here in this diner. No one is going to make me believe I didn’t see what I saw.”
Kate nodded. “Well, then, it sounds like you have a plan, and you”re going to execute it. In the military, we like that kind of planning as long as all the safety issues have been taken into account. This camera, will it hurt, injure, or maim any wildlife, people, or horses?”
Edna shook her head. “Nope, I got the one Dean, he’s the local game warden, told me to get. It’s what the professional wildlife photographers use.” She smiled. “I’m going to find something out there. I can feel it.”
“I really hope you do, Edna. I really hope you do.” She motioned to the cinnamon roll. “I promise not to make you choke again. You should eat your breakfast.”
“That sounds like a prime idea.” Edna moved her plate back over in front of her. “Now, tell me about Lawrence. I did notice you didn’t answer that question.”
The woman was sharp. “Well, I’m home now, so I’m going to help him get through what he needs to go through, but, Edna, I’m sure you realize some things are personal and not to be discussed. This is one of them.”
The door opened again, and Edna smiled. “Doc Wheeler, how are you doing today?”
“I’m doing well, Edna. And you?”
“Fine, fine. Have you met my friend Kate Johnson? She’s Lawrence’s sister. She’s getting out of the military and moving back home.”
The man walked over, and Kate shook his offered hand. “Nice to meet you. What did you do in the military?”
“I was a vet, primarily for military working dogs, but I also saw family pets.”
“You should talk to Doc Macy. He’s going crazy with work,” Edna said. “You did see him on Saturday, right?”
“That’s right, Tegan introduced us,” Kate answered without answering. She was pretty good at it, and the doctor smiled as if he saw what she was doing.
“I would agree with Edna on that topic. Noah’s burning the candle at both ends,” Dr. Wheeler said, then turned as the door opened again. “Here’s my party. It was nice meeting you, Kate.”
She smiled as the doctor moved toward the booth the couple had slid into.
“That’s Doc Johnson and his wife, Stephanie. Wonderful people. Lots of history there. It could fill a book. I’ll tell you all about it someday when we have the time.” Edna cut a piece of her pastry and buttered it. “Are you going to try to work up here?”
“I’m looking into all options, but I’m not going to move on anything until I’m sure everything is settled and running smoothly out at the ranch.” Kate took another drink of her coffee. “So, tell me about your friends. Doris and …”
“Belinda.” Edna smiled. “They’re widows like me. I think they like the fact I’m not going to sit on my backside and age gracefully. They bow out when they think I’m being a bit too energetic, but we do a lot of good. We’ve learned how to quilt. Kayla, who owns the clothing store, is a master seamstress, and she taught a bunch of us how to do it. So, now, the girls and I make baby quilts to give to expectant mothers. We also crochet baby hats and jackets, and we’ve even made baptismal gowns for a few moms who wanted them. We organize events to help others out. Like taking meals out to Lawrence for the first two months after Bridgette died. We keep ourselves plugged in, and we babysit from time to time. Although we’re doing that less unless the kids are older. It’s harder and harder to get up off the floor nowadays when you”re done playing. Table games are much easier on the old knees.”
“Do you all live in town?”
“Belinda still lives on the ranch. Her sons work it. She has three of them. It was lean times for quite a few years for them, so Belinda took on washing and ironing, helping to keep them afloat. Those boys turned that ranch around, though, and she’s sitting pretty now. That is, if we can ever get those men married off.” Edna’s eyebrows raised. “Say, you wouldn’t be?—”
“I’m off the market already, Edna. Tegan and I used to be pretty serious before I left for the military. We’ve taken up where we left off.”
Edna put her fork down. “Really? How long has it been?”
“Twelve years, but the heart wants what the heart wants.” Kate ate the last of her roll.
“That is so romantic.” Edna sighed. “Is that one of the things that shouldn’t be talked about?”
Kate shrugged. She and Tegan hadn’t discussed if they were going to tell anyone, and well, she wasn’t against making her claim seen and heard. “You can tell whoever you like, but give me until tonight, so I can tell Tegan the cat is out of the bag.”
“I can do that. Here come Doris and Belinda.” Edna motioned to the window.
“Then I’m going to go. I need to pick up some jeans for Craig. That boy is growing like a weed. Maybe we can do this again? I had a good time today, minus the choking incident.”
“Really, you wouldn’t mind?”
“Mind? No, I’d love it. Mondays are good for you?” Kate asked as she stood.
“Perfect. I can come in ten minutes earlier or so.”
“That’ll work. I’ll drop off the kids and meet you here next Monday morning.” She leaned over and kissed Edna on the cheek, then whispered, “My dad had good taste.” Edna blushed and smiled as she said her goodbyes.
Heading out, Kate said hello to Doris and Belinda at the door. She walked down the street, past her parked truck, to the clothing-slash-quilting shop. The bell over the door rang as she opened it. A woman peeked up from behind the counter. “Hi! Can I help you?”
Kate walked up and looked at the floor where the woman was kneeling. “What happened?”
“A box I had all my embroidery threads and beads in broke open when I was moving it, and presto, five-thousand thread pickup.”
“Can I help?” Kate moved around the counter and was on her hands and knees before the other woman could say a word.
“Well, thank you. My name is Kayla Thompson. I own this shop.” The brunette gave her an ear-to-ear smile.
“I’m Kate Johnson. My brother Lawrence said he ordered some jeans for my nephew, and I was going to pick them up.”
“I got them in two weeks ago. I can get them for you, so you don’t have to wait.”
“No worries, let me help you do this first.” Kate held up a bag of pearls. “What do you do with these?”
“Wedding dresses. I have crystals and teardrop pearls, too. I love doing the hand stitching on the lace. It is so satisfying to witness the patterns from my imagination coming to life. When I went to Paris, I drooled over the dresses in the shop window. That trip fueled my imagination. I loved it.”
“Paris? I loved that city,” Kate said as she continued to pick up thread and bags of pearls and crystals. “Although I loved London and Munich, too.”
“A world traveler?” Kayla asked.
“Yes and no. Army. I’m getting out, though, so you’ll be seeing a lot of me.”
“Oh, that’s great! We have an unofficial group gathering about once a month. Those of us at a certain age. Too old to be party princesses and not old enough to be included in the crochet circle. Would you be interested in being added to the group text?”
“I’d love it. I know a few people here. Allison?—”
“Really? She’s in the group, along with Gen, Kathy, Steph, Sam, Melody, and sometimes the women from the Marshall ranch, depending on the season and what’s going on.” Kayla beamed at her. “How do you know Allison?”
“Well, I spent summers here with my dad, although I spent the time I was in school in Colorado with my mom.” Kate picked up the last of the thread she could reach, and Kayla thanked her profusely.
“Let me get you that order.” She moved down the length of the counter and pulled out a bag. “I know how boys grow, so I got them three inches longer than his last order. If they’re too long, he can roll them.”
“I think you called it just right. He’s wearing waders right now. Three inches is going to fit just fine.” Kate pulled her wallet out of the pocket of her light jacket. “How much do I owe you?”
“Well, if you bring the jeans Craig has now, it’ll be twenty dollars, and I’ll sell his jeans secondhand. I patch them up and put them on discount for the people who can’t afford new. If you don’t want to bother, it’ll be twenty-seven dollars and fifty cents.”
“Will next Monday work? I’m having coffee with Edna. Or I can make a special trip in …”
“Monday is fine,” Kayla said, taking the twenty-dollar bill. “It was really nice meeting you. Oh, can you give me your number, so I can add you to the group chat?” Kayla handed her a pen and a small pad of paper. She jotted her number down. “I look forward to it.”
As she stepped out of the store, she saw Dr. Wheeler walk into the clinic. “No time like the present,” Kate said to herself and turned in that direction and walked across the street. She opened the door, and the woman, Stephanie, came out of a small office off the lobby. “Hi, I saw you at the diner with Edna.”
“Yes, I’m Kate Johnson, Lawrence’s sister. I was wondering if I could talk to Dr. Wheeler.”
Stephanie looked down the hall. “Let me go get him for you. If you want coffee, there’s some brewing. I’ll be right back.”
Kate didn’t take her up on the offer for coffee. She’d had enough and was full to the top after eating all that roll. She agreed with Edna that more than two of those in a week would result in her rolling down the street.
“Hi, Kate, what can I do for you?” Dr. Wheeler’s voice spun her from the window where she was watching a truck trundle down the gravel street.
“I was wondering if you were taking new patients.” She glanced at the open office door.
“Why don’t you come back, and we’ll talk about what you need. Follow me. The hallway isn’t wide enough to walk together.”
“That’s because you’re too big, just like Zeke,” Stephanie said from the office.
Kate chuckled at Dr. Wheeler’s grumbled reply. “Here we go.” He shut the door until it was almost latched but left it open a bit. “Now, what can I do for you?”
“My brother’s wife died last year. I don’t think he’s processed the grief. He’s angry and flies off the handle, which is something he’s never done before. He’s depressed and has admitted he doesn’t know how to climb out of the dark pit he’s in. I don’t think he’s suicidal because he knows what that would do to his kids, but he needs help, and he’s agreed to come see you if you have space for him. He doesn’t have insurance, so I’ll be paying the bill. He doesn’t need to know about that if he doesn’t ask.”
Dr. Wheeler pulled out his scheduling book and turned a page. “I can see him today at two, and I have a recurring space open on Thursdays and Mondays if that works for him. Billing is usually done by Stephanie. If you stop by on the way out and give her your information, she’ll enter it into the system. She is the absolute epitome of discretion, and we do not discuss any patient information outside this office.”
“Thanks. I’m not worried about anyone knowing, but Lawrence might be. Mental health is just as important as our physical health, but it still has a stigma.” The Army had taught her that.
“I wish everyone was as open to it as you are, but you’re right; the stigma is still there, although I do everything I can to mitigate it in this community.” Doc Wheeler extended his hand. “Tell Lawrence I’ll be happy to help, and I’ll see him at two.”
She shook the man’s hand. “Thank you.” Leaving his office, Kate told Stephanie what she wanted to do, filled out the appropriate forms, and was out of the door about five minutes later. She wanted to stop by the stockyards and see the office space Tegan had mentioned before going home and telling Lawrence about his appointment. All in all, it had been a great start to the day.